Drive device for holding paper on a rotating drum

ABSTRACT

A rotating drum has a gripper bar mounted for cooperation therewith to convey sheets. The gripper bar is manually moved from a stationary first position spaced from the rotating drum to a second position to grip the sheet against the drum and rotate therewith. After moving through a predetermined angle, the eccentric mounting of the gripper bar causes the bar to move away from the drum and assume the stationary first position.

United States Patent 1191 Villemer et al.

[ DRIVE DEVICE FOR HOLDING PAPER ON A ROTATING DRUM [75] Inventors: Jean Villemer, Paris; Michel Landwerlin, Le Pecq, both of France [73] Assignee: Compagnie Industrielle des Telecommunications Cit-Alcatel, France [22] Filed: Sept. 14, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 397,334

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 14, 1972 France 72.32620 521 US. Cl 271/277; 346/138 [51] Int. Cl. B65H 5/12 [58] Field of Search 271/53, 82, 51, 277; 346/138, 132, 125; 101/232, 410, 409

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.108.220 8/1914 Pancoast 1. 271/53 1451 Nov. 11, 1975 3/1958 Gross et a1 271/51 3/1961 Mason et a1; .1 346/138 Primary E.\'mninerEvon C. Blunk Assistant E.ran1inerBruce H. Stoner, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Craig & Antonelli ABSTRACT A rotating drum has a gripper bar mounted for cooperation therewith to convey sheets. The gripper bar is manually moved from a stationary first position spaced from the rotating drum to a second position to grip the sheet against the drum and rotate therewith. After moving through a predetermined angle, the eccentric mounting of the gripper bar causes the bar to move away from the drum and assume the stationary first position. 1

15 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures U .S. Patent 11,1975 ,shee'tyofs 3,918,707

U.S. Patent' Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet20f3 DRIVE DEVICE FOR HOLDING PAPER ON A ROTATING DRUM The invention relates to the field of transmission of documents of the facsimile type, or any other application using the advancing of paper on a drum. It concerns a mechanical device which is arranged so as to make a blank pper or a document adhere, by simple handling, on a rotating drum which prepares it for a write-in unit or for a read-out unit, respectively, and subsequently so as to extract the said paper or document at the end of processing. The invention is intended for use in cooperation with facsimile devices operating either at the transmission end or at the receiving end.

It is known that all facsimile devices comprise a rotating drum on which is fixed either a blank paper, which is generally photosensitive, or a document to be transmitted, which the drum prepares, in its rotating movement, either for a write-in unit (luminous spot), or for a photosensitive unit (photoelectric cell), driven in a regular movement parallel to the axis of the drum.

In known facsimile devices, the insertion and withdrawing of the paper on the drum are effected by hand. The invention provides a means for effecting these operations while simplifying the task of the operator considerably.

For that purpose, it uses a horizontal rotating drum on which the read-out or write-in operations cover only a part of the cylindrical surface. A crossbar parallel to the axis of the drum is spaced away from the drum and is stationary in the waiting position (high position). When pushed by the operators hand at the instant when it comes against a sheet of paper below, the crossbar becomes jammed on the surface of the drum due to an eccentric device, is driven by the drum and, at the same time, drives the paper. After having moved through a determined angle, the same eccentric device causes the crossbar to move away from the surface of the drum. The crossbar then returns suddenly to the high waiting position under the effect of a resilient element which has been cocked during the drive process, whereas the paper is released at the lower part of the drum.

The invention will be described in detail taking as an example one emobidment thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, among which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembly;

FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, are end views of the mechanism, showing the working thereof between the insertion and withdrawing of the paper; and

FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the drive device.

In all of the figures, corresponding references designate the same parts.

Looking first to FIG. 1, the paper or document 10, formed by sheets or strips of indefinite length, is prepared on an upper table 11 on which it must move in the direction of an arrow 12, finally being held on the cylindrical surface 13 of a drum which rotates continuously about its axis 14 under the effect ofa drive means 42 (FIG. 3) turning the shaft 14.

A crossbar 15, parallel to the axis 14 of the drum and placed in the vicinity of its lateral surface near the upper portion thereof as seen in the figure, is provided with two tabs 16 and 16, turned down in the radial direction, the assembly of elements 15, 16 and 16' forming a yoke. The tab 16 can move in a radial direction in a slide 17 which is fixed to the rear face of a gear 18, perpendicular to the axis of the drum and kept away from the latter. Likewise, the tab 16' can move in a slide (not shown) fixed with a gear 18, shown as a dotted line, homologous to the gear 18.

The gears 18 and 18, having an annular shape, rotate about a common axis 19, parallel to the axis of the drum, but distinct from the latter.

The crossbar 15 is kept in place by two helical springs 20, 20', fixed by a common means by one end to a stud 20" riveted to the tab 16 and spaced apart in a reversed V configuration, their other ends being fixed on two tenons 21, 21, respectively, riveted to the front face of the gear 18.

There is an identical arrangement, at the other side of the drum, which is not shown in FIG. 1. The gear 18 (18) meshes with another gear 22 (22'). The gears 22 and 22' are fast with a common non-driven shaft 23, parallel to the shaft 14'. The end of a coil spring 25, whose other end is fixed to the fixed point 26 is fixed on a stud 24 on the gear 23.

A pressure roller 27 is pressed against the cylindrical surface 13 of the drum by means of a lever 28 cooperating with another coil spring 29, fixed to the said fixed point 26. A comb 30 helps maintain the paper (driven by the crossbar 15 held tight against the drum). In a symbolic way, a write-in element or read-out element which is able to move parallel to the axis of the drum in the region where the paper sticks to the drum, has been designated by 31. The paper or document is collected on a lower table 32.

In FIGS. 2a through 2d, 33 designates the operators finger. The angle a is the angle through which the operator makes the crossbar 15 pivot at the beginning of the operation between a position 0 and a position 1. The angle 12 is that through which thecrossbar rotates, accompanying the drum against which it is pressed under the effect of the springs 20 and 20'.

Spaced apart from the drum in position II, the crossbar 15 rapidly moves through the angle c to return to the position 0 under the effect of the energy stored in spring 25, affording an advantage which will be described with reference to FIGS. 2b, 2c, and 2d. The circle 34 shown in dotted lines shows the path of the inside face of the crossbar 15.

In FIG. 2b, the operators finger, originally at 33, has come to position 33'; the crossbar 15, held tight against the drum by the springs 20, 20', is driven by the drum and drives the gear 18. The latter drives the gear 22 in the direction of the arrow 35, this causing the extending of the spring 25 to store energy therein.

In FIG. 2c, the crossbar reaches the level of the roller 27 and moves the roller away, so that the roller gives way to it. At the same time, the spring 25 is greatly lengthened.

In FIG. 2d, although the crossbar 15 in the low position has left the surface of the drum, the roller 27 holds the paper against the drum. The gear 18 is no longer driven by the crossbar 15. The gear 22 is then subjected to the restoring force of the spring 25, stretched to the maximum extension length, which pulls the stud 24 in the direction of the arrow 36 and makes the gear 22 rotate in the direction of the arrow 37. That movement of the gear 22 which has become a drive gear, is transferred to the gear 18, which brings the crossbar l5 rapidly back to the position with the ends of tabs 16, 16 abutting the hub portion of gears 18, 18'.

Within the scope of the invention, the accumulating and recuperating of energy of the spring 25 could be effected in another way, for example, by pneumatic means.

As seen in FIG. 3, a bottom plate 40 carries a stand 41 which supports an electric motor 42 connected by a bushing 43 to the shaft 14' of the drum 13. The shaft 14 extends through a flange 44 fixed to the plate 40 and is supported by a ball bearing assembly 45. A guide shaft 46 made of a plastic substance is fixed by suitable fasteners 47 on the inside face of the flange 44. On the guide shaft 46, the gear 18 is mounted for rotation.

The axis 19 of the guide shaft is distinct from the axis 14 of the shaft 14 of the drum 13. The gear 18 (and also the homologous gear 18') is eccentric in relation to the drum. The slide rail 17 is made fast with the gear 18 by a disc 48 secured to said gear.

While we have shown and described one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the same is not limited thereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications as known to a person skilled in the art, and we therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein but intend to cover all such changes and modifications as are obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for holding paper on a rotating drum, comprising drive means for continuously turning said drum about its axis, a crossbar disposed in parallel to the axis of said drum, rotatable mounting means for supporting said crossbar for movement in the radial direction of said drum between a position in contact with the surface thereof and an outer position spaced from said surface, said mounting means being rotated by said drum only when said crossbar is in contact with the surface of said drum, a toothed wheel engaging with said rotatable mounting means so as to be rotated thereby only when said crossbar is in contact with the surface of said drum, and cyclic control means connected to said toothed wheel for returning said crossbar to an initial position spaced from the surface of said drum subsequent to the initiation of rotation thereof.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said rotatable mounting means includes a guide shaft mounted eccentrically with respect to the axis of said drum and an annular holder having a gear portion mounted for rotation on said guide shaft, said gear portion engaging with said toothed wheel.

"3. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said rotatable mounting means further includes slide means for holding said crossbar on said annular holder and bias means'for biasing said crossbar inwardly toward the axis of said drum.

4. A device as defined in claim 3, further including a roller resiliently mounted in contact with the surface of said drum. 7

5. A device for holding paper on a rotating drum, comprising drive means for continuously turning said drum about its axis, a crossbar disposed in parallel to the axis of said drum, rotatable mounting means for supporting said crossbar for movement in the radial direction of said drum between a position in contact with the surface thereof and an outer position spaced from said surface, said mounting means being rotated by said drum when said crossbar is made to contact the surface of said drum, a toothed wheel engaging with said rotatable mounting means so as to rotate therewith, and cyclic control means connected to said toothed wheel for returning said crossbar to an initial position spaced from the surface of said drum subsequent to the initiation of rotation thereof, said rotatable mounting means including a hollow guide shaft fitted over an axial drive shaft of said drum.

6. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said guide shaft is eccentrically mounted with respect to the axis of said drum and said rotatable mounting means further includes an annular holder having a gear portion mounted for rotation on said guide shaft, said gear portion engaging with said toothed wheel.

7. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein said rotatable mounting means further includes slide means for holding said crossbar on said annular holder and bias means for biasing said crossbar inwardly toward the axis of said drum.

8. A device for holding paper on a rotatingdrum, comprising drive means for continuously turning said drum about its axis, a crossbar disposed in parallel to the axis of said drum, rotatable mounting means for supporting said crossbar for movement in the radial direction of said drum between a position in contact with the surface thereof and an outer position spaced from said surface, said mounting means being rotated by said drum when said crossbar is in contact with the surface of said drum, a toothed wheel engaging with said rotatable mounting means so as to rotate therewith, and cyclic control means connected to said toothed wheel for returning said crossbar to an initial position spaced from the surface of said drum subsequent to the initiation of rotation thereof, said cyclic control means including a coil spring secured to a fixed support at one end and to a point on said toothed wheel at the other end.

9. A device as defined in claim 8, wherein said rotatable mounting means includes a guide shaft mounted eccentrically with respect to the axis of said drum and an annular holder having a gear portion mounted for rotation on said guide shaft, said gear portion engaging with said toothed wheel.

10. A device as defined in claim 9, wherein said rotatable mounting means further includes slide means for holding said crossbar on said annular holder and bias means for biasing said crossbar inwardly toward the axis of said drum.

11. A device for holding paper on a rotating drum, comprising drive means for continuously turning said drum about its axis, a crossbar disposed in parallel to the axis of said drum, rotatable mounting means for supporting said crossbar for movement in the radial direction of said drum between a position in contact with the surface thereof and an outer position spaced from said surface, said mounting means being rotated by said drum when said crossbar is made to contact the surface of said drum, a toothed wheel engaging with said rotatablemounting means so as to rotate therewith, and cyclic control means connected to said toothed wheel for returning said crossbar to an initial position spaced from the surface of said drum subsequent to the initiation of rotation thereof, said rotatable mounting means including a guide shaft mounted eccentrically with respect to the axis of said drum on each side of said drum and a pair of annular holders mounted on the respectoothed wheel is provided on each side of said drum and each of said annular holders includes a gear portion mounted for rotation on said guide shafts, said gear portions engaging with said toothed wheels.

15. A device as defined in claim 14, wherein said rotatable mounting means further includes slide means for holding said crossbar on said annular holders and bias means for biasing said crossbar inwardly toward the axis of said drum. 

1. A device for holding paper on a rotating drum, comprising drive means for continuously turning said drum about its axis, a crossbar disposed in parallel to the axis of said drum, rotatable mounting means for supporting said crossbar for movement in the radial direction of said drum between a position in contact with the surface thereof and an outer position spaced from said surface, said mounting means being rotated by said drum only when said crossbar is in contact with the surface of said drum, a toothed wheel engaging with said rotatable mounting means so as to be rotated thereby only when said crossbar is in contact with the surface of said drum, and cyclic control means connected to said toothed wheel for returning said crossbar to an initial position spaced from the surface of said drum subsequent to the initiation of rotation thereof.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said rotatable mounting means includes a guide shaft mounted eccentrically with respect to the axis of said drum and an annular holder having a gear portion mounted for rotation on said guide shaft, said gear portion engaging with said toothed wheel.
 3. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said rotatable mounting means further includes slide means for holding said crossbar on said annular holder and bias means for biasing said crossbar inwardly toward the axis of said drum.
 4. A device as defined in claim 3, further including a roller resiliently mounted in contact with the surface of said drum.
 5. A device for holding paper on a rotating drum, comprising drive means for continuously turning said drum about its axis, a crossbar disposed in parallel to the axis of said drum, rotatable mounting means for supporting said crossbar for movement in the radial direction of said drum between a position in contact with the surface thereof and an outer position spaced from said surface, said mounting means being rotated by said drum when said crossbar is made to contact the surface of said drum, a toothed wheel engaging with said rotatable mounting means so as to rotate therewith, and cyclic control means connected to said toothed wheel for returning said crossbar to an initial position spaced from the surface of said drum subsequent to the initiation of rotation thereof, said rotatable mounting means including a hollow guide shaft fitted over an axial drive shaft of said drum.
 6. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said guide shaft is eccentrically mounted with respect to the axis of said drum and said rotatable mounting means further includes an annular holder having a gear portion mounted for rotation on said guide shaft, said gear portion engagiNg with said toothed wheel.
 7. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein said rotatable mounting means further includes slide means for holding said crossbar on said annular holder and bias means for biasing said crossbar inwardly toward the axis of said drum.
 8. A device for holding paper on a rotating drum, comprising drive means for continuously turning said drum about its axis, a crossbar disposed in parallel to the axis of said drum, rotatable mounting means for supporting said crossbar for movement in the radial direction of said drum between a position in contact with the surface thereof and an outer position spaced from said surface, said mounting means being rotated by said drum when said crossbar is in contact with the surface of said drum, a toothed wheel engaging with said rotatable mounting means so as to rotate therewith, and cyclic control means connected to said toothed wheel for returning said crossbar to an initial position spaced from the surface of said drum subsequent to the initiation of rotation thereof, said cyclic control means including a coil spring secured to a fixed support at one end and to a point on said toothed wheel at the other end.
 9. A device as defined in claim 8, wherein said rotatable mounting means includes a guide shaft mounted eccentrically with respect to the axis of said drum and an annular holder having a gear portion mounted for rotation on said guide shaft, said gear portion engaging with said toothed wheel.
 10. A device as defined in claim 9, wherein said rotatable mounting means further includes slide means for holding said crossbar on said annular holder and bias means for biasing said crossbar inwardly toward the axis of said drum.
 11. A device for holding paper on a rotating drum, comprising drive means for continuously turning said drum about its axis, a crossbar disposed in parallel to the axis of said drum, rotatable mounting means for supporting said crossbar for movement in the radial direction of said drum between a position in contact with the surface thereof and an outer position spaced from said surface, said mounting means being rotated by said drum when said crossbar is made to contact the surface of said drum, a toothed wheel engaging with said rotatable mounting means so as to rotate therewith, and cyclic control means connected to said toothed wheel for returning said crossbar to an initial position spaced from the surface of said drum subsequent to the initiation of rotation thereof, said rotatable mounting means including a guide shaft mounted eccentrically with respect to the axis of said drum on each side of said drum and a pair of annular holders mounted on the respective guide shafts, the respective ends of said crossbar being supported on one of said annular holders.
 12. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said cyclic control means includes a coil spring secured to a fixed support at one end and to a point on said toothed wheel at the other end.
 13. A device as defined in claim 12, further including a roller resiliently mounted in contact with the surface of said
 14. A device as defined in claim 11, wherein a toothed wheel is provided on each side of said drum and each of said annular holders includes a gear portion mounted for rotation on said guide shafts, said gear portions engaging with said toothed wheels.
 15. A device as defined in claim 14, wherein said rotatable mounting means further includes slide means for holding said crossbar on said annular holders and bias means for biasing said crossbar inwardly toward the axis of said drum. 